Ahh the country fair. Along with baseball and apple pie a symbol of family, fun and American innocence.
Greater Newburyport has a large selection of amazing country fairs to visit this fall. American Harvest at Spencer Peirce will offer hours of live music and yesteryear field of dreams baseball.
The Topsfield Fair is one of the largest and oldest fairs in the state and brings in top talent, high flying rides and agricultural contests.
Deerfield has an old fashioned feeling and a nice ride into foliage country.
Which is your favorite?
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Spencer Peirce American Music and Harvest Festival, (September 26)
A full day of music, baseball, and farm activities featuring four decades of American music.
This well loved music festival celebrates everything from traditional to bluegrass, funk, folk, and beyond. You can also experience a variety of farm activities and crafts during the festival. Watch the Essex Base Ball Association play by 1861 rules. See tractors and other farm equipment spanning the last eighty years. Enjoy a wagon ride through brightly colored autumn fields. Tour the 1690 stone and brick manor house.
The Newburyport Education Foundation is the primary sponsor of this community event which benefits local education foundations and schools. Proceeds also benefit: Amesbury, Georgetown, Gloucester, Ipswich, Masconomet, Pentucket, Rockport, and Triton Education Foundations, River Valley Charter School Foundation, and Immaculate Conception School. The recipient of the funds is selected when tickets are purchased.
The Topsfield fair, (October 2-12) was formed by a group of “practical farmers” who first met on February 16, 1818. Their goal was “to promote and improve the agricultural interests of farmers and others in Essex County.” Topsfield Fairgrounds sits on the former Treadwell Farm property. Dr. John Goodhue Treadwell of Salem bequeathed the farm to the Agricultural Society in 1858 for the “promotion of the science of agriculture.” This year should shine. Where else do you get Pat Benatar, Digifest, monster trucks and great pumpkin contests all under one tent?
The Deerfield fair, (October 1-4) Deerfield was once a thriving farm community well placed between Concord and Portsmouth, NH. In 1876 the town established the Deerfield Fair, now billed as “New England’s Oldest Family Fair”, the four-day event draws huge crowds each autumn to admire animals, produce and crafts, or enjoy amusement park rides.
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